Overview
Butzel’s Immigration Practice Department is a dedicated team that provides comprehensive immigration counsel to individuals, families, and businesses based across the US and around the world. We offer strategic support on a wide range of matters, including nonimmigrant and immigrant visas, US permanent residence, citizenship, global mobility, and employer compliance and worksite enforcement.
Our clients benefit from the depth of our immigration law experience and the resources of a full-service firm. We work closely with our Corporate, Tax, and Labor & Employment practices to deliver coordinated, effective solutions—particularly where immigration intersects with broader business concerns.
Known for our responsiveness, creativity, and strong relationships within the immigration community, we stay current on legal developments to provide timely, cost-effective guidance. We continuously refine our processes and leverage technology to enhance service delivery and value.
Clients can trust us with their most critical immigration matters, knowing they are supported by a team that is consistently ranked among the top immigration practices in Michigan, earning rankings at regional and national levels since 2011. Several of our attorneys have earned individual honors from respected legal publications, reflecting their standing among the top legal professionals in the field.
Practice Leadership
People
Areas of Concentration
Alerts & Publications
Client Alerts
- Client Alert, 5.7.2025
- Client Alert, 2.20.2025
- Client Alert, 2.13.2025
- Client Alert, 1.31.2025
- Client Alert, 1.2.2024
- Client Alert, 8.23.2023
- Client Alert, 7.13.2023
- Client Alert, 1.13.2023
- Client Alert, 2.23.2022
- 10.27.2021
- 5.3.2021
- 4.30.2021
- 2.11.2021
- 10.2.2020
- 9.28.2020
- 9.23.2020
- 6.23.2020
- 6.19.2020
- 6.10.2020
- 4.27.2020
- 4.24.2020
- 3.20.2020
- 3.18.2020
- 3.17.2020
- 3.16.2020
- 3.13.2020
- 1.23.2020
- 10.2.2018
- 6.28.2018
- 9.26.2017
- 6.30.2017
- 3.16.2017
- 2.1.2017
- 1.30.2017
- 12.1.2016
- 1.29.2016
- 2.24.2015
- 4.30.2013
- 3.15.2013
- 4.22.2010
- 4.29.2009
- 1.6.2009
- 8.14.2008
- 1.25.2008
- 11.30.2007
News & Events
News
- Firm News, 5.9.2025
- Firm News, 4.4.2025
- Firm News, 3.25.2025
- Radio Interview, WJR-AM 760, 3.19.2025
- Firm News, 1.21.2025
- Firm News, 11.18.2024
- Firm News, 11.8.2024
- Firm News, 9.24.2024
- Firm News, 8.27.2024
- Firm News, 8.15.2024
- Firm News, 6.20.2024
- Firm News, 5.8.2024
- Firm News, 1.4.2024
- Firm News, 11.22.2023
- Firm News, 11.1.2023
- Firm News, 9.18.2023
- Firm News, 9.6.2023
- Firm News, 8.23.2023
- Firm News, 7.27.2023
- Firm News, 6.8.2023
- Firm News, 5.24.2023
- Firm News, 11.15.2022
- Firm News, 11.3.2022
- Firm News, 10.13.2022
- Firm News, 9.8.2022
- Firm News, 8.24.2022
- Firm News, 8.18.2022
- Firm News, 8.12.2022
- Firm News, 8.11.2022
- Firm News, 7.5.2022
- Firm News, 5.25.2022
- Firm News, 3.29.2022
- Firm News, 2.10.2022
- Speaking Engagement, 1.25.2022
- Firm News, 1.20.2022
- 11.4.2021
- 10.28.2021
- 10.20.2021
- 9.14.2021
- 7.27.2021
- 6.3.2021
- 6.1.2021
- 5.19.2021
- 1.29.2021
- 11.11.2020
- 11.5.2020
- 10.20.2020
- 10.19.2020
- 9.28.2020
- 9.18.2020
- 7.15.2020
- 6.24.2020
- 6.19.2020
- 3.30.2020
- 3.3.2020
- 11.19.2019
- WJR - News - Talk - 760 AM, 11.14.2019
- 11.1.2019
- 10.31.2019
- 10.8.2019
- WJR - 760AM, 8.13.2019
- WJR - News Talk 760, 8.12.2019
- WJR-AM 760, 8.1.2019
- 7.29.2019
- 7.25.2019
- Michigan Lawyers Weekly, 7.19.2019
- 6.17.2019
- 3.18.2019
- Crain's Detroit Business, 3.3.2019
- Crain's Detroit Business, 3.3.2019
- 1.9.2019
- 12.28.2018
- U.S. News & World Report, 11.1.2018
- WJR-AM 760, 10.31.2018
- 9.13.2018
- 7.18.2018
- 6.13.2018
- 5.14.2018
- 4.20.2018
- 4.9.2018
- 4.5.2018
- 1.26.2018
- 1.11.2018
- 12.11.2017
- 12.4.2017
- 10.18.2017
- 9.20.2017
- 9.6.2017
- 9.5.2017
- 8.8.2017
- 6.27.2017
- 3.27.2017
- 3.7.2017
- 2.24.2017
- 1.30.2017
- 11.1.2016
- 9.26.2016
- 9.9.2016
- 6.22.2016
- 5.23.2016
- 3.21.2016
- 8.28.2015
- 8.5.2015
- 6.11.2015
- 1.21.2015
- 10.7.2014
- 9.11.2014
- 7.1.2014
- 1.20.2014
- 11.7.2013
- 11.4.2013
- 11.1.2013
- 9.5.2013
- 4.24.2013
- 4.3.2013
- 3.14.2013
- 11.5.2012
- 11.1.2012
- 10.18.2012
- 10.4.2012
- 11.9.2011
- 10.27.2011
- 6.9.2011
- 3.22.2011
- 11.15.2010
- 10.27.2010
- 10.14.2010
- 9.2.2010
- 7.27.2010
- 7.15.2010
- 7.8.2010
- 6.17.2010
- 9.16.2009
- 8.19.2009
- 8.17.2009
- 7.6.2009
- 6.4.2009
- 2.10.2009
- 10.22.2008
- 9.25.2008
- 5.27.2008
- 4.9.2008
- 3.20.2008
- 11.30.2007
- 11.9.2007
- 10.1.2007
- 4.17.2007
- 4.2.2007
Speaking Engagements
- Virtual, 11.17.2021
- Virtual, 10.29.2020
- Webinar, 3.31.2020
- Detroit, MI, 4.11.2018
- Livonia, MI, 8.29.2017
- Detroit, MI, 4.5.2017
- Bloomfield Hills, MI, 2.21.2017
- 4.21.2016
- Dearborn, MI, 11.7.2014
Experience
- Assisted with preservation of residency for naturalization purposes for individuals transferred overseas
- Represented clients seeking LPR status based on Cuban Adjustment Act
- Obtained removal of conditions on permanent residency
- Analyzed eligibility for naturalization through parents or grandparents and prepare necessary documentation
- Provided preventative counseling on Department of Homeland Security and Department of Labor investigations and employer sanctions.
- Obtained re-entry permits to maintain permanent residence status in the United States for individuals transferred abroad
- Represented clients in obtaining visas at various US Embassies and Consulates abroad
- Conducted in-house training on I-9 form compliance and retention, including electronic completion and storage of I-9 forms
- Assisted employers in obtaining appropriate nonimmigrant classification (TN, H-1B, H-3, L-1A, L-1B, O-1, E-1/E-2, P) and immigrant classification (EB-1, EB-2, EB-3 and EB-5).
- Represented employers in USCIS administrative site visit
- Represented clients with applications of waiver of inadmissibility due to past legal history or immigration history.
- Consulted with clients regarding special permanent resident card interviews
- Advised employers regarding maintenance of employer/employee relationship when foreign national is placed offsite
- Butzel Long shareholder is an Honorary Consul to the UK
- Evaluated retention of dual citizenship for U.S. and other countries such as Germany, Italy, Australia, Canada, etc.
- Obtained waivers of inadmissibility including waivers for entry into Canada for individuals who have DUIs/DWIs
- Conducted in-house training on all areas related to doing business in Mexico
- Represented employers in investigations conducted by the USDOL concerning H-1B Labor Condition Application public access file including benching and wage and hour issues.
- Coordinated the establishment of foreign corporate entities in Mexico, obtaining all necessary permits to carry out business and advise on all business related legal areas, in consistency with multi jurisdictional implications
- Prepared J-1 waivers of 2 year foreign residency requirement based on no-objection letters, interested government agencies, hardship and other grounds
- Conducted internal audits of I-9 forms for clients
- Represented clients in complex naturalization matters including restoration of U.S. citizenship, appeals for denied naturalization applications, and evaluate strategies for overcoming grounds of ineligibility.
- Conducted in-house training regarding preparing and maintaining H-1B public access files and Labor Certification Applications
- Obtained work visas in other countries such as Brazil, Germany, Belgium, Austria, etc.
- Obtained approval of Immigration Petition for Alien of Extraordinary Ability for various professionals including engineers, scientists, corporate executives, professional athletes, entertainers, coaches, and trainers.
- Represented employers during investigations conducted by USICE and USDOL regarding employment verification issues
- Represented clients in obtaining Mexican visas at various Mexican Embassies and Consulates abroad
- Analyzed effect of corporate changes, including mergers and acquisitions, on foreign national’s immigration status.
- Obtained permanent resident status pursuant to registry provisions based on residence in U.S. since January 1972
- Managed multi-country projects and obtained work authorizations in multiple jurisdictions for individuals of various nationalities.
- Represented clients at Port of Entry to process admission to US under NAFTA
- Assisted family members in obtaining appropriate fianc
- Obtained re-entry permit to maintain permanent residency for individuals transferred overseas
- Preparation of J-1 Exchange Visitor and H-3 Trainee applications and petitions for employees of foreign companies with U.S. facilities
- Coordinated the establishment of foreign corporate entities and assistance with multi jurisdictional tax issues
- Represented employers during investigations conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement or Department of Labor regarding employment verification issues.
- Provided preventative counseling on sending foreign expatriates to Mexico. Including immigration regulations, as well as labor and tax implication and employer sanctions
- Obtained all types of visas for Mexico, including tourist, business, technical, Board members, pre-approved work permits, change of status, permanent resident, Exit and Re-Entry permits, and renewals